Junta critic again to be taken in for military re-education

The Thai junta has told a Pheu Thai politician known for his criticisms against the regime that he will be taken to a military camp once again for re-education.

Watana Muangsook, a politician from the Pheu Thai Party, posted a message on his Facebook profile on Wednesday, 13 April 2016, that military officers had contacted him and informed him that they will take him in for another so-called attitude adjustment session.  He was told that they will come to his house and detain him at 11 am on 18 April.

Watana wrote on Facebook that before the officer contacted him he posted a Facebook status that he will not accept the new draft constitution, adding that he feels uncomfortable that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, is annoyed by the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties’ stand against the draft constitution.

He added in his Facebook status that people have the rights and liberties to state their opinion of the draft constitution, which is guaranteed even under Article 4 of the Interim Constitution, which was imposed after 2014 coup d’état.

Watana has been repeatedly taken in for attitude adjustment by the regime. He is currently battling charges under the Computer Crime Act for posting criticisms against Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the Minister of Defence, over his remarks towards Yingluck Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister.

In late March, he was detained for three days of attitude adjustment in the 11th Military Circle on Rama V Rd., Bangkok.

Earlier this month, he posted an article ‘Politician’s Indoctrination Session’, on his Facebook fan page.

Watana said that attitude adjustment courses aim to silence voices against the draft constitution as the public referendum on the draft constitution draws near.

He urged the junta to believe in people’s maturity and let the public have a free political discussion.  

“The upcoming charter referendum is very significant for the future of the country. To let the public freely discuss the content of the draft is the only way to ensure the quality of the referendum and acceptance from the people,” Watana stated on his Facebook post.

 

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”